Drawer front for filing cabinets



Feb. 11, 1964 Filed Oct. 11, 1961 T. STOHLBERG 3,120,984

DRAWER FRONT FOR FILING CABINETS 2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY 1964 T. STOHLBERG DRAWER FRONT FOR FILING CABINETS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 11, 1961 INVENTOR 7 4 oer: 670/? Meg ATTORNEY United States Patent Oflflce 3,126,934 Fatented Feb. 11, 1964 3,l2.,984 DRAW FRGNT FQ R FILING ABEETS Travers fltohibcLg, Corry, Ida assignor to {lorry lamestown Qorporation, Corry, Pas, a corporation of New York Filed Get. ill, 1% her. No. 144,337 2 Claims. (U1. SIlZ-Siltl) This invention relates to improvements in drawer fronts for desks and filing cabinets and particularly to fronts that provide, in combination, various structural parts required in conventional drawer usage.

Specifically, the invention is directed to the provision of a drawer in which a drawer pull or grip is a part of the drawer front as distinguished from attached handles, knobs, etc. Further, tle invention contemplates provision of an insert in a drawer head that enables mounting an identity card or other suitable legend as to the contents of the drawer. Additionally, it is contemplated that the invention, when formed at least in part from transparent material, will provide visual knowledge of the condition of the contents of a drawer without withdrawal.

It is therefore an object of the invention to so construct the front or head of a file drawer as to eliminate the usually required attached parts by which to manipulate the drawer or be apprised of its contents.

Another and important object of the invention lies in elimination of the usual hardware which, because of its projection beyond the drawer front would present a hazard to the clothing or hands of those required to use filing equipment.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of structure that enables mounting an identity card wholly within the vertical confines of a drawer head.

Additionally, the invention contemplates the provision of a drawer head which, although of standard configuration, not only includes the above listed advantages, but also enables producing a drawer which is of simple and easily assembled structure and economical to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from a consideration of the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; and in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drawer havin a front or head embodying one form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the drawer front shown in FIG. 1, being taken substantially on the line 22 of that figure;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the drawer front, being taken substantially as suggested by the line 3-4: of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view, similar to PEG. 3, and shows the manner of mounting the inventive insert within a frame defining the drawer front limits;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken substantially on the line 55 of FIG. 3, and shows the tabs by which the drawer front insert is secured to the drawer front frame;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View, taken substantially on the line 66 of FIG. 4, and shows the insert securing means as a part of the drawer base and prior to bending;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a modified version of the structure of FIG. 2 and in which the insert is a metal element rather than transparent;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and shows the man nor in which this insert is secured to the drawer front frame;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken substantially on the line 99 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a reversed fragmentary vertical sectional l2: view, taken substantially as suggested by the line 1ll1tl of FIGS. 7 and 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a drawer wherein the drawer front is modified to provide only a hand hold or grip within the vertical plane of a drawer front;

PEG. 12 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken substantially on the line 1212 of FIG. 11 and shows certain details of the structure of this modification; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line l3-l3 of FIG. 11.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6, the reference numeral 10 generally designates one of any file drawers to which the invention is applicable. The drawer shown includes side and bottom walls 11 and 12, respectively, rear wall 13 and drawer head or front 14. The general structure of the drawer may be of any conventional design and so no particular mention is made as to any channels in the bottom wall 12 or guides or tracks in the side walls 11.

The invention residing in the drawer head, attention is directed to FIGS. 2 to 6, inclusive. As may be seen, the front 14 consists of a rectangular frame having uniform frontal flanges. Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the flanges or sides 16 of the frame terminate in return bent finishing flanges 17 and 18. Interior flanges 19 extend into the front end of the drawer and engage and are welded to the drawer sides 11. In FIG. 3, it will be noted that the lower frontal flange 21 of the frame has a rearwardly extending under flange 2.2 which corresponds to the side finishing flanges 17 above referred to. A short rearward flange or lip 23 defines the lower inner margin of the frame opening and also serves as a securing ledge, as will be later described. It is pointed out that the corresponding side flanges 19 are cut away, as at 24, the forward portion 26, adjacent this cut-off, being the same depth as the lip 23.

The top portion of the frame, identified as a frontal flange 27, serves to define the top of the frame opening. The upper edge of this flange continues in a rearward downwardly inclined flange 28 which, by way of step 29, extends horizontally rearwardly as a flange 31 that terminates in a short flange 32. Located in the top portion of the frame is an insert 33 that extends horizontally between the flanges 19 of the frame sides. This insert includes a vertical flange 34 that abuts the interior surface of the top frontal flange 27. At a point in line with the lower edge of flange 27, the insert is return bent to provide an inclined flange 35 which then extends rearwardly as flange 37 and terminates in an upwardly offset lip 38. This lip, together with its connecting flange 3L- and flange 32., provides a shallow downwardly opening recess 4-1. The ends of flange 37 have depending tabs 42 which are secured to the drawer sides 11 at the time of assembly.

A panel 43, designed to fill the space defined by the interior flanges of the drawer front frame, is shown to be formed from transparent material and consists of a pair of plates 44 and 45 which are joined or made integral along their top edges to form a rib From this rib, these plates diverge to create in cross section, the triangular panel shown. Suitable wedge shaped parts 4% serve as end inserts to hold the plates in the relation shown and are fixed to or made integral therewith. As may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the spread ends of the plates are provided with a base member 4? which includes a flange 51 that rests against the lower inner face of plate 4-6. A further flange 52 bears against the inner face of plate 4- these flanges being connected by a horizontal spacing flange 53. The lower edge of flange 52 is continued in a forwardly and upwardly curved portion 54 which, with flange 52, creates an upwardly opennig groove adapted to seat the lower edge of plate 44. As may be seen by a comparison of FIG. 3 with FIG. 4, the base member 49 serves to mount and locate the lower part of the panel 43 in its proper position in the drawer front opening. The bottom wall 12 of the drawer, as shown in FIG. 6, is cut out adjacent the frontal flange Zl to provide a tab 56.

As may readily be visualized, panel t? is first engaged with the upper portion of the drawer front by projecting the rib 47 thereof into the recess ll. The spaced apart portions of the panel plates :4 and 46 are engaged with the base member 49 and the panel is then pivoted about the rib from a position suggested in H6. 4 to that shown in FIG. 3. Upon reaching the position of PEG. 3, the curved portion 54 of member 49 will abut flange 21 and may ride up this flange into contact with lip 23. The rear panel plate 46 abuts the drawer bottom 12 and, of course, the member 4-9 maintains the angular spacing of the panel plates. When mounted, the panel is secured by bending upwardly two of the tabs ss shown. These tabs, having one inclined side, urge the flange 52, with which they contact, forwardly, thus assuring proper positioning of the panel and locking it in such position.

With the panel 45 in place, it will be noted that there is space at the bottom of the frame opening, as indicated at 57, in which the lower edge of an identity card may be secured, the upper end of such a card would rest in the meeting line formed by the flange 37 and plate 4-4. The proposed card, resting against the inclined plate, would be easily viewable and could cover any or all of the plate as required. It will be apparent that flange 3d and 37 cooperate with the upper portion of plate 44 to provide a finger recess, thus enabling use of this recess as a space in which an operator can place his fingers in order to withdraw the drawer from the file. As heretofore mentioned, this structure enables the provision of a drawer pull within the vertical confines of a drawer head, thus eliminating projecting hardware of the nature of a pull, knob, or other similar structure.

Attention is now more particularly directed to FIGS. 7 to 10, inclusive, wherein a modification of the invention is shown. Herein it is proposed to provide a metal panel in the framed opening of the drawer head in place of the transparent panel 43 above described. To this end the framed opening is fitted with two metal members 58 and 59. Member 58, along its upper edge, includes a vertical flange 61 that abuts the interior surface of the top frontal flange 27 and is also formed with a return bent, inclined flange 62 which continues rearwardly in a horizontal flange 63 and thence extends downwardly to form the body portion of the plate 58. As may be observed, plate 53 is the equivalent of plate 44 of the previously described panel. The sides of plate 58 abut the above described inner sides 19 of the frame opening. The lower edge of this plate is return bent, as indicated at 64 and is engageable with the frontal flange 21 in the same manner as the curved portion 54 of the base member 49. As may be seen in either FIGS. 7 or 8, the bend from flange 63 into plate 58 is located a slight distance away from flange 32 of the upper portion of the frame and this spacing enables the introduction of a top tongue 66 between this flange and the bend defining the top of plate 58. This tongue, together with an offset 67, defines the upper edge of the other panel plate h. The lower end or" this plate is a right-angle flange 69 which terminates in an upturned flange 71. A suitable opening 72 is made near each end of this flange and creates a space into which the tab 56 of the drawer bottom 12 may be bent for the purpose of securing the plates 58 and 59 in the relationship shown in FIG. 7. Wings '73 in part define the vertical sides of the plate 59, being tapered, substantially as shown, in order that when the two plates are assembled, these wings will act as plate spacers and at the same time assure relative rigidity of the plates after the tabs 56 have been bent up. For convenience of installation, it is proposed to mount the plate and attendant flanges in the drawer front substantially in the manner shown in PEG. 0.

Attention is now directed to a further modification of the invention shown in N68. 11 to 13, inclusive. Herein a drawer front 74 is shown in which no provision is made for a label holder or, as in the first modification, means by which to examine the condition of the drawer contents. However, in this instance, the drawer front is provided with a countersunk finger grip which is essentially identical with that shown in the above described modifications. A suitable horizontal opening is made in the drawer front and, in the course of forming this opening, generally triangularly shaped wings 76 are produced. These wings will define the vertical ends of the opening and, of course, extend inwardly from the front 74. Also, at the time of creating the opening, the lower edge thereof is defined by a shallow inturned flange 77. The countersunk finger grip consists of a member having a body portion 78 that, along its lower edge, terminates in a lip 79. The upper edge of this portion continues in a horizontal flange 81 which inclines downwardly, as at 82, and thence upwardly as a contact flange 83. By producing the flanges that terminate the top and bottom of the portion 78 in the angularity shown in FIG. 13, the inset finger grip area is created. Flange d3 bears against the inner face of the upper portion of the drawer front and may be permanently secured thereto or merely left in frictional contact. *lange 7% of the portion 78 underlies and engages the inturned opening flange 77. Side wings 84, defining the ends of the portion 78, overlap the wings 76 when the member 78 is mounted. This member may be held in place by the engagement of suitable tabs with the wings 76, or the wings 76 and 84 may be permanently joined, as by welding. The end result, however, is to provide a countersunk finger grip or hold in the drawer in an economical and simple manner.

Although applicant has shown and described only a few forms of the structure embodied in the invention, it will be apparent that variations thereof may be made in adapting the invention to file drawers of different sizes and proportions, and it is contemplated that such variations as may be required for this purpose are within the spirit and scope of the invention insofar as they are set out in the annexed claims.

Having thus set forth my invention, what I claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent 1. A front for a file drawer or the like having a frontal panel with a rectangular opening therein, the side walls that cooperate to define said opening being of the nature of inturned flanges, an insert secured to the inner surface of that portion of said panel defining the upper edge of said opening, said insert having an upwardly and rearwardly extending flange that cooperates with a portion of said front to create a downwardly opening transverse recess, a pair of plates, the upper edges of said plates projecting into said recess, means engaged with and spacing apart the lower edges of said plates whereby to cause the foremost of said plates to incline rearwardly from the bottom to the top of said opening and with said insert create a recessed finger grip area, and other means adjacent the bottom of said panel for securing said plates in assembled position.

2. A front for a file drawer or the like having a frontal panel with a rectangular opening therein, the side walls that cooperate to define said opening being of the nature of inturned flanges, an insert secured to the inner surface of that portion of said panel defining the upper edge of said opening, said insert having an upwardly and rearwardly extending flange that cooperates with a portion of said front to create a downwardly opening transverse recess, a pair of transparent plates joined along their upper edges to project into and be secured within said recess, a base member engaged with the lower edges of said plates and securing said edges in spaced relation, said 8,120,984 5 5 member engaging the lower flange of said opening, the References Cited in the file of this patent foremost of said plates being inclined rearwardly from UNITED STATES PATENTS said lower flange to said recess whereby to create, with said insert and certain of the opening defining flanges, a 11888041 1932 recessed finger grip area, and means for permanently se- 5 1,976,118 clmisnan'i 5 i934 curing said base member against displacement with re- 2,311,645 Dempsey et a1 1943 soect to aid frontal paneL Hamnlfir TJOV- 

1. A FRONT FOR A FILE DRAWER OR THE LIKE HAVING A FRONTAL PANEL WITH A RECTANGULAR OPENING THEREIN, THE SIDE WALLS THAT COOPERATE TO DEFINE SAID OPENING BEING OF THE NATURE OF INTURNED FLANGES, AN INSERT SECURED TO THE INNER SURFACE OF THAT PORTION OF SAID PANEL DEFINING THE UPPER EDGE OF SAID OPENING, SAID INSERT HAVING AN UPWARDLY AND REARWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE THAT COOPERATES WITH A PORTION OF SAID FRONT TO CREATE A DOWNWARDLY OPENING TRANSVERSE RECESS, A PAIR OF PLATES, THE UPPER EDGES OF SAID PLATES PROJECTING INTO SAID RECESS, MEANS ENGAGED WITH AND SPACING APART THE LOWER EDGES OF SAID PLATES WHEREBY TO CAUSE THE FOREMOST OF SAID PLATES TO INCLINE REARWARDLY FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP OF SAID OPENING AND WITH SAID IN- 